6 suspected dissidents arrested in dawn raids

GARDAÍ seized 320 rounds of 9mm ammunition — suitable for Uzi submachine guns — during an operation against dissident republicans yesterday, which also focused on the murder of a convicted drug dealer.

Up to 70 gardaí took part in dawn raids in Cork city and county arresting six suspected dissident republicans who are being questioned in connection with the murder of convicted drugs dealer Gerard ‘Topper’ Staunton.

The arrests of five men and a woman were made in the Mayfield, Blackpool, Ballygarvan, Ballintemple and Glanmire areas.